How to Load a Seoul Climate Card
Already have a Seoul Climate Card? Check the pass you need, where to load it, and when it starts before you pay.
Already have a Climate Card? Before you load it, check which short-term pass you need, how you can pay, and when the pass will start.
Knowing How to Load a Seoul Climate Card starts with choosing the right pass for the days you will actually use it.
Short-term Climate Card passes follow a specific start-date rule, and the payment options available can depend on the charging machine you use. Check both before you confirm the recharge.
Have the physical card ready.
Choose the pass that matches your travel days.
Check the payment options shown on the current machine.
Confirm the start date before you pay.
Next, find a supported charging machine and follow the current Climate Card instructions shown on the screen.
This How to Load a Seoul Climate Card guide explains the current loading process for travelers using a physical Climate Card in Seoul.
Short-term Climate Card passes are available for 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days. The pass starts on the day you charge the card, so check your travel dates before you pay.
Climate Card rules are changing in 2026. Use current machine information and official Seoul or Tmoney guidance when a detail affects your trip.
Quick Answer: How Do You Load a Seoul Climate Card?
Have the physical card with you? Start with the charging machine, then choose the pass you need.
Have your Climate Card with you? Follow these four steps from finding a charging machine to checking the completed recharge.
If you are checking How to Load a Seoul Climate Card, the basic process is simple: start with your physical card, use a supported charging machine, choose the pass you need, and confirm the recharge before you leave.
First: Make sure the machine supports Climate Card recharging.
Next: Check the pass period before you confirm your choice.
Before paying: Check the payment options currently shown on the machine.
Before leaving: Confirm that the recharge was completed.
The next sections explain where you can load a physical Climate Card, which short-term pass to choose, when the pass starts, and which payment methods may be available.
If you need the short answer to How to Load a Seoul Climate Card, follow this order.
1. Bring your physical Climate Card.
2. Find a supported transportation-card charging machine.
3. Place or scan the card as instructed.
4. Choose the Climate Card pass you need.
5. Check the pass period and payment information.
6. Pay and confirm the recharge before leaving.
Screen wording can change. Follow the Climate Card options shown on the machine you are using instead of relying on an older screenshot.
Table of Contents
Check Which Climate Card You Have
Before you load anything, check whether you are using a physical card or a mobile Climate Card.
Not sure which loading steps apply to you? Check whether you have a physical Climate Card or a mobile Climate Card before you continue.
When checking How to Load a Seoul Climate Card, start with the card type because the recharge path is not the same for every card.
Physical Climate Card
Continue with the station charging-machine steps in this guide. Physical-card management may also be available through Mobile Tmoney under its current requirements.
Mobile Climate Card
The mobile card uses a different Mobile Tmoney setup, so check the current device, account, and payment requirements before continuing.
This guide mainly follows the physical-card route. Next, check whether you already have the card or need to buy one before loading a pass.
The recharge process depends on the type of Climate Card you have.
Physical Climate Card
Load it at a supported station charging machine. Physical-card management is also available through Mobile Tmoney under the app’s current requirements.
Mobile Climate Card
The mobile Climate Card uses Mobile Tmoney and has different device, account, and payment requirements.
The steps below focus mainly on loading a physical Climate Card.
Important 2026 Climate Card Update
Using an older Climate Card guide? Check the 2026 change before you choose a pass.
Seoul is ending the existing prepaid 30-day Climate Card program, but the short-term Climate Card passes are continuing.
30-day prepaid pass:
Recharge is available through August 31, 2026.
A 30-day pass charged within the final period can be used until its validity ends, with the final use date listed by Seoul as September 29, 2026.
Short-term passes:
The 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, and 7-day Climate Card passes will continue.
For a short visit to Seoul, keep the short-term pass process separate from the changing 30-day program.
Do You Need to Buy the Card First?
Buying the physical card and loading a pass are two separate steps.
If You Do Not Have the Card
Buy a physical Climate Card first. The physical card itself currently costs KRW 3,000. The price of the pass is separate.
If You Already Have the Card
You normally do not need another physical card. Take the existing card to a supported charging machine and check the pass options currently available.
Where Can You Load a Physical Climate Card?
Have the card ready? Check whether the station operator in front of you supports Climate Card recharging.
Ready to load your card? First confirm that the machine supports Climate Card recharging, then follow the current instructions shown on the screen.
When checking How to Load a Seoul Climate Card, finding the right machine matters because Climate Card recharging is not available at every rail operator’s charging machine.
Check the station operator.
Tmoney currently lists Climate Card charging on supported machines within the Seoul subway network, but not at KORAIL, Airport Railroad, or Shinbundang Line charging machines.
Check the payment options.
Available payment methods can differ by machine, so use the options shown on the current screen.
Follow the current instructions.
Machine wording and screen layout can change, so use the live screen rather than an older screenshot.
Once you find a supported machine, the next step is to place your card, choose the pass you need, and check the recharge before you pay.
Tmoney currently lists Climate Card charging at transportation-card machines in these station groups:
Line 1: Seoul Station to Cheongnyangni Station
Lines 2–9
Ui-Sinseol Line
Sillim Line
Gimpo Goldline
Tmoney states that Climate Card recharging is not available at KORAIL, Airport Railroad, or Shinbundang Line charging machines.
Gimpo Goldline charging machines currently support cash recharge only. Check the machine in front of you before choosing a payment method.
How to Load the Card at the Machine
Found a supported machine? Follow the current screen one decision at a time.
Standing at the charging machine now? Place your Climate Card as instructed, choose the pass you need, then check the details before you pay.
This is the core machine process for How to Load a Seoul Climate Card. Follow the current screen instead of looking for an exact button from an older screenshot.
Place your card as instructed.
Keep the card in the position shown by the machine while it is being recognized.
Choose the pass you need.
Check the available Climate Card options and select the correct pass period.
Review the details.
Check the selected pass and the information shown on the screen before continuing.
Complete the payment.
Use a payment method supported by the machine and confirm that the recharge is complete before you leave.
Before choosing a short-term pass, check how many days you need and when the pass will start. The next sections explain both.
This is the main machine process in the How to Load a Seoul Climate Card guide.
Place the card.
Put or tap the card where the current machine tells you.
Choose the Climate Card recharge option.
Follow the current wording on the machine.
Select the pass.
Check the number of days before continuing.
Review and pay.
Check the pass and payment information before completing the transaction.
The exact buttons and screen layout may change. Do not depend on an old machine screenshot when the current screen shows different instructions.
Choose the Short-Term Pass You Need
Choose the number of days that matches when you will actually use the card.
Not sure which short-term pass to choose? Match the pass length to the days you will actually use your Climate Card in Seoul.
When checking How to Load a Seoul Climate Card, choose the pass length based on the days you will actually use covered public transportation.
Count your travel days first.
Choose from the current 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 5-day, or 7-day short-term pass options.
Check the current price.
Review the amount shown on the charging machine before you pay because prices can change.
Check when the pass starts.
A short-term Climate Card starts on the day you charge it, so the recharge date matters.
Before confirming your choice, check the start-date rule in the next section so you do not load the pass earlier than you plan to use it.
The current short-term Climate Card prices are:
| Pass | Current Price |
|---|---|
| 1 Day | KRW 5,000 |
| 2 Days | KRW 8,000 |
| 3 Days | KRW 10,000 |
| 5 Days | KRW 15,000 |
| 7 Days | KRW 20,000 |
These short-term passes currently cover the applicable subway and bus service. Ttareungi and Hangang Bus are not included in the short-term pass.
Check the current price on the charging screen before you pay.
When Does a Short-Term Pass Start?
Check this before paying: a short-term pass starts on the day you charge it.
Planning to use your short-term Climate Card later? Check the start-date rule before you load it, because the charging date becomes the start date.
One of the most important parts of How to Load a Seoul Climate Card is understanding when a short-term pass begins.
The charging date is the start date.
A short-term Climate Card begins on the day you load the pass.
You cannot choose a later start date.
Do not load the pass early if you plan to begin using it on a different day.
Check the validity before you pay.
Review the date and pass period shown on the current charging screen before confirming the recharge.
Once the pass period and start date are clear, check the payment options available on the machine you are using.
This is one of the most important rules in How to Load a Seoul Climate Card.
For a short-term pass, the charging date is the start date. You cannot select a later start date.
If you plan to start using the pass tomorrow, do not load a short-term pass today.
Check the date and selected period on the machine before confirming the recharge.
Can You Pay with an International Card?
Using a card issued outside Korea? Check whether you are at one of the new machines that supports international payment.
Since March 17, 2026, supported new vending machines on Seoul Metro Lines 1–8 accept internationally issued credit and debit cards for Climate Card purchases and short-term pass recharging.
Seoul specifically lists international cards such as Visa and Mastercard. Supported mobile payment services are also available on the new machines.
Do not assume every charging machine accepts an overseas card. Check the payment options shown on the machine you are using.
Seoul currently states that an average service fee of approximately 3.7% applies when an internationally issued credit or debit card is used for these transactions.
Can You Load a Physical Card with Your Phone?
A station machine is not the only way to manage a physical Climate Card.
A physical Climate Card can also be recognized and recharged through the Mobile Tmoney app on supported Android phones and iPhones.
Basic App Flow
Open physical Climate Card check/recharge → Tag the card → Choose recharge → Select the recharge type → Check the period → Confirm the recharge
Check the App Requirements First
Seoul currently states that the Mobile Tmoney physical-card service uses a Korean interface and requires mobile phone number verification. Check the current app setup before relying on this option during a short visit.
Do You Need to Register the Physical Card?
Registration and recharging are different steps.
Physical Climate Cards can be registered through the Tmoney Card & Pay website.
Card registration is not the same as loading a pass. Do not stop the recharge process because you see separate registration information.
Current Seoul guidance states that refunds and Ttareungi access are unavailable for an unregistered physical card.
For a short-term pass, first make sure the card is loaded correctly. Then check registration requirements for any additional service you plan to use.
What If the Card Will Not Load?
Recharge stopped? Check the current pass and machine before trying the same step again.
A recharge problem can have different causes. Check the situation in this order.
Check the card.
Make sure the machine recognizes your physical Climate Card.
Check the current pass period.
A short-term pass can be recharged only after its current validity period has ended.
Check the machine operator.
Some rail operators do not provide Climate Card recharging even when part of your trip uses their stations.
Check the payment method.
Use a payment option currently supported on that machine.
Ask station staff if needed.
Current machine and station information should take priority over an older travel guide.
Check the Recharge Before You Leave
Payment finished? Check the result before walking away from the machine.
Before leaving, check the recharge information shown on the current machine.
Pass type
Number of days
Start and validity information
Recharge or payment result
The confirmation screen may differ by machine. Use the result shown in front of you as the final check.
How to Use the Climate Card After Loading
Pass active? Tap the card when you enter and again when you finish the ride.
Subway
Tap the Climate Card at the gate when you enter. Tap the same card again when leaving.
Bus
Tap when boarding. Tap again when getting off.
Climate Card coverage does not include every subway, bus, or airport route in the Seoul metropolitan area. Check the full route before you travel.
Knowing How to Load a Seoul Climate Card prepares the card. Your next check is whether the full trip is inside the current Climate Card service range.
Quick Checklist Before You Load
At the machine now? Check these points before you confirm the recharge.
✓ Physical Climate Card ready
✓ Supported charging machine confirmed
✓ Correct short-term pass selected
✓ Correct number of days checked
✓ Charging date rule checked
✓ Current price checked
✓ Payment method confirmed on the machine
✓ Recharge result checked before leaving
Check Current Climate Card Information
Climate Card rules are changing in 2026. Check current official information before relying on an older guide.
Use current official information when checking How to Load a Seoul Climate Card. Pass types, charging locations, payment methods, and service rules can change.
Seoul Metropolitan Government — Climate Card
Check current pass types, prices, service coverage, charging rules, and current Climate Card notices.
Check Seoul Climate Card official information →
Tmoney — Climate Card
Check current physical-card purchase, recharge locations, recharging rules, service range, and refund information.
Check Tmoney Climate Card information →
Current machine and station information
Follow the current charging-machine screen or station staff instructions when they differ from an older travel guide.
When older information conflicts with a current official source, use the current Seoul or Tmoney information before completing the recharge.
Easy in Korea helps you figure out what to do next during your trip in Korea. After loading your Climate Card, check whether your next route is covered, follow current station information, and continue with the guide that matches your next step.
Related Guides
Continue with the guide that matches your next practical step after preparing your Seoul transportation card.